Audio Hobby Thoughts, Philosophy & System Description
Current Room Anchors - Room 1 and 2 active
Room 1 - Matrix 800's anchors - for creating that ..........Maxell Tape Effect.
Room 2 - (Adjacent to Room 1) - Quad 57 + two Dynaudio BM12s subs - Midrange reference
Room 3 - Acoustat Model 3 - Modded - upstairs - For imaging larger than life (literally speaking) - see last picture. Unfortunately is next to my wifes TV room. So it gets limited use.
Stored - B&W Electrostatic DM70c Continental - Wife calls them the washing machines. John Bowers called them his favorite speaker. Very interesting and very rare. Could anchor a room but they need special placement and lots of room. ESL portion needs to be 100% functional and at ear level or they will sound soft.
Room 2 is mostly digital, guests, and used for trialing used unplayed records before they make the queue for room 1. Room 1 has been called by my family as Dads Hole. I prefer panic room as it helped to raise my kids and stay married...so far.
Psychology Part
Music is critical to ones health and well being. I went through a couple stretches in life due to events without it and the results were not good. The goal for me to get lost in the music and have it transport me to that special place. Now whether you get there by a typical 2 channel home stereo with speakers, headphones, or other means is not important. Getting there is the important part.
Audiophile not.....
Have always been the type that if I frequent a room enough, a system usually ends up in there. My wife finally put an end to this, and allows me to do what I want in the full basement of our house.....so..... In this described virtual system, I have had Room A since 1994. Adjacent Room B is in the process of being finished, but I have been using it for listening for a few years now adding in room treatments as needed.
History
Like many others, have been at this audio hobby since I was about 13 when I was consciously aware of the gear versus the actual music relationship. I am now 55 and currently with two adjacent music rooms setup with different gear. Both rooms can do full orchestra symphonies with large dynamic swings. Getting Room B with the Quad 57's to do this was a challenge; but I was able to get it to work with the right amps and powered subs. The Quads require a very different room acoustic setup over the Matrix 800's in Room A.
I am a pure amateur, audiophile, music lover, past trombone player, and have never been part of the Audio Business as a manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or have any special interest relationships with any of these people. I consider myself a full time music lover, and part time audiophile; although I have friends that could argue this point. I have tried to upload pics and information here, that give a flavor of some of my audio journeys, and associated bouts of Audiophilia Nervosa. :^)
"Audio Heaven, is for Music Lovers - Audiophiles are never happy.
With that, in the real, authentic, Heaven; there is room, even for Audiophiles"
8^0
Living in the country
Having moved away from the city core in the 90's, I have found that audiophiles away from the cities, are in general, scare to find and or keep to themselves. Many of my audio friends are now remote, due to the distance between us; so only virtual communications are possible most of the time.
The negative aspects of Isolation aside; one good aspect of living in the country is the clean power and lack of noise and vibrations caused by traffic, trucks, etc...Once experienced and its effect on your listening, you become very aware of the multitude of audiophile products available as band aids, to cover, veil, but never eliminate these artifacts in densely populated areas.
I was born in the 60's so I grew up with Classic Rock, Beatles, etc... But I love all music, new music and Opera hits home with me. I played trombone in Jr and High school so the Bass Clef has a bias with me. Listen more now to the ladies crooning at me, Classical and Jazz with occasional Classical Rock; I think a well recorded full Orchestra Symphony with huge Dynamic swings has the most magic for me.
***** MAIN ROOM aka Panic Room, Dad's Hole, ....*****
I have had Room A since 1994. It has 3 dedicated lines 20, 20 , 15. This room is personal use. Room B is more for entertaining and spending time with friends.
Room A is much better insulated and isolated from my wife. As much as I would like to move the Matrix 800's to the larger Room B space to try them, it would probably just get me that much more trouble.
Room A and B are both located on a concrete poured floor. A has a an underpad and flat carpet on top. Spikes from gear stands and speakers are able to penetrate to the concrete with no problem ensuring a solid mechanical connection. The speakers are located 6 feet from the front wall with the room being 24 ft in length. Putting in the 800's over the 801's meant that some of the room treatments were able to be removed due to the 800's double woofers high and low. This is also one of the reasons I call them very room friendly.
1/4 inch 2 track machine. The three pictures attached. Top Left - known as two turntables. my machine being worked on Middle pic - 807 Top Right Pic. A picture of Roger Ginsley with a 48 track machine he is about to split into two 24 tracks. My Studer 807 is calibrated by him. He is also the one that makes the interconnects I use with it.
JC Verdier La Platine Vintage Granito Original Design
2012
http://www.jcverdier.com/ADSL/platineVintage.html
Just a delight to use. With its presentation, sends the message home that it is all amount the music. Effortless, seamless, but experience is needed is setting up the thread. A real Goldilocks scenario of the thread being too loose, too tight or just right. Different thread tensions alternate how the motor and platter work together and change the speed. The objective is to get the correct speed with as little effect from the motor. ....
Original design. Granito Model My version uses a motor only equipped for thread Granito base and solid aluminum billet armpod. The later newer motors are equipped now for belts too - but no one runs them this way that I know of. This decision was made imo to generate more sales as it is easier to setup. But imo the belt grip would play havoc with the motor / magnets marriage which was designed for thread. I would think that belt stretch and its physical changes with temp and humidity changes would also cause problems, and interfere with the natural braking action of the magnets. This is my opinion as mine is thread only. There is a greater learning curve involved with thread.
This is the only turntable I am aware of whose platter design includes both acceleration (inertia) and braking (natural forces from same pole magnets) to deal with the records behavior - going from soft to heavily modulated grooves. The motor design, like a marriage with the platter. Think of the childhood merry go rounds that once up to speed - even a little girl could keep them going. To understand how the motor and platter are like a marriage, one need only turn the motor off and the platter spins for 30 seconds with the thread attached. However cut the thread while the platter is turning, and the platter stops much quicker as the two magnets demonstrate their braking capability. Impressive to me is just the plain simplicity of design using physics to get the job done with a piece of string and magnets. I found it important in setup to have the thread positioned in a way that is the least intrusive on the platter; so as to allow the platter to not only do its job as designed; but to also provide the needed jolts as required from the motor to maintain speed stability.
In my opinion - you will know when you have set it up properly because you are able to turn the motor off and on and also deflect the thread with your finger - as the records plays - and not affect the music delivery to your ears. I base this when compared directly to 15 IPS Master Tape dubs. In testing for accuracy I run both simultaneously with one lagging 10 seconds behind the other and switch between the two - compensating for gain as tape is a high level signal. When the thread is setup in this fashion there is minimal stress put on it. The current silk thread I am using has recently passed the one year mark. Overall Big Sound from a small piece of thread.
Some facts Magnetic bearing design. Brass colored rings are big shielded permanent magnets; same magnet poles repelling each other. The result is "levitation" the space you see between them. No thrust bearing involved. A central spindle bathed in a special oil keeps them aligned. For me personally I did not know what TT bearing noise sounded like until I heard music on a TT without a physical bearing. The plinth is made of Granito. Granito is not real granite but a non-resonant material that looks and feels like granite. A limited edition model.
"Granito is a material composed by little pieces of marble of very different origin agglomerated inside a mold with cement. Machined and polished. The resonance of the plinth with its suspension is about 5Hz and it is well absorbed by the air cavities."
Mr. JC Verdier Note: Newer Platines are provided with a setup bearing. The manual is very clear on the setup bearing. It is just that - a setup tool only. COUNTERFEIT PLATINES Unfortunately there are non-authentic tables out there worldwide from 20 different counterfeiting makers. These tables are out there with people using them. If anyone is unaware of this, see the Platine Information on the JC Verdier website for more info.
The only advice I can give is when buying a Verdier Platine you should be careful to ensure it is a real Platine, especially if buying privately. If you already have one and have doubts, check with an authorized dealer or J.C. Verdier company in France to ensure it is authentic.
Custom Eminent Technology Model 2.5 for MC Carts
This is a custom build ET 2.5 Tonearm from Bruce Thigpen - A 19 PSI design.I am using the new Long I Beam. Weights are reduced by half and therefore the vertical inertia is higher - a goal of the design. The Aluminum Gooseneck was sourced from NZ. It was through Richard Krebs also an ET2 owner. I am using Single Shot WBT wiring, Aluminum mount plate. Magnesium armtube. Double Leaf Spring and damping trough. If you are an ET2 owner you know what I am talking about :^).... Advantages of the ET2 airbearing linear tracker tonearm - no VTF changes with VTA adjustment, no offset setup, antiskating and immunity to acoustic feedback, as it rides on film of air.
One shot wire. Run at 19 PSI. Damping trough with 1 cc of Oil. Lead weights at the very end of the I Beam.
VTA on the fly while the record plays and it doesn't change any parameters (VTF) like all other tonearms do. This is due to a patented VTA on the fly system. Have you ever noticed how with same thickness records....some can sound brighter, some bloated and some just right? When they press the records the different plants can have different standards. Records are then cut with varying angles.. even same thickness ones.
See ET2 Bass Management Below
Tonearm Wiring Loom - One shot WBT NextGen
2011 One shot wiring loom for the ET 2.5. WBT 0102 CU connectors. The design of the ET2 (2.5) allows for this wiring to be changed out in about 10 minutes. Silver and copper can be experimented with.
The PUMP ET2
Life Support for the ET2's. Timeter 3000 Medical Industrial Pump. The most important part of the ET2 arms setup. Industrial commercial grade medical pump. Its actually a patient respirator.
These have an hours counter and come up for sale cheaply on ebay. If you have space in your basement somewhere they are turnkey once set up.
I have tried large aquarium pumps, smaller medical pumps, compressors.
This Timeter Medical 50 psi pump has been customized to allow me to regulate air pressure coming out and send 19 psi to the ET2 tonearms. Another regulator with gauge at the arm allows me to accurately adjust for the PSI coming into the arm. Located in another room -cannot be heard in sound room when running.
The smoothness of air delivery is excellent. No resonance. The pump dumps/expels moisture like a car's AC. Have never seen a drop in the moisture collector; other than one incident when the pump outlet clogged with minerals from the moisture. I now soak the pump outlet in CLR for 2 hours every two months.
ET2 In Room Air Regulator & Filter
2nd Regulator and Filter on wall near the ET arm. Confirms and controls the 19 psi and also filters out moisture in line. Have never seen any moisture in this filter. This device lets me change the pressure going to the arm by just turning the top mounted knob. This regulator is mobile. It can be placed in my lap while the music is playing and pressure adjusted to hear how it affects the music delivery.
Audio Research DAC8
From a DAC only function perspective identical to the ARC REF DAC except the output stage is tubed on the REF. Interesting read. :^)
Owned many many years. Modded power supply box. Variable Gain for dealing with hot, and compressed source material - Digital and Analog. On the fly cartridge impedance loading. Used in ARC's hotrod mode. Direct output and bypass switch engaged. Amperex Bugle Boys.
Matrix 800
Unique one time all assault effort from B&W at a time when 2 channel was the focus. Smooth, musical yet still detailed. Room Friendly if you can believe it. Imagine 4 subs two high and two low pointed at you for 2 channel music. Each driver 2 woofer, mids, tweeter have their own crossover easily accessible from the back.
They were a 2 1/2 year study from Bowers & Wilkins under John Bowers (RIP). I have looked for a long time for a pair. The only time they become available are through owners going to a smaller condo (retiring or divorce).
All B&W 800 models that followed the Matrix series are the same only in model designation - 800. They are not a replacement or upgrade. They are a different build, design, objectives, sound. Post Matrix 800's are a smaller speaker system (require a sub for full range); they do have better WAF (more easily placed into a shared room with the wife)
800 matrix can be played at low and high levels with the right amp. 93db 2.83 volts/1m, Mine are Quad wired. They can be run on four separate amps if one desires as each driver has its own crossover.
Top and bottom woofers each excite a different set of waves. These waves cancel each other out. Thats the theory. My listening supports this. Smooth tight bass. It is quite something to experience since their size make you think they will over take the room. Also IMO each woofer works only half as much with four versus two for the desired SPL. All of this results in a very flexible listening position. All drivers are physically isolated with separate crossovers and Van Den Hul silver wiring from the factory. I run them with both tubes and Solid State. Krell and the modded Music Reference RM9.
Krell Amplifier Story My research found me talking with Dan D'Agostino who used matrix 800's as his reference speakers when he designed this era of Krell amps. Specifically the FPB series like my FPB600. On a dedicated 20 amp circuit with upgraded 20 amp power cord using Furutech Gold IEC.
RM9 Push Pull Tube Amp. Used to power Acoustat, 801, 800 speakers. WBT 0700 Connectors. KT88 output tubes. Hardwired for 4 ohm tap. Total Overhaul done April 2015
MATRIX 800 INSTALL
Installation
800 Series Bass Alignment Filter / Equalizer.
The graph shows the 801 matrix frequency response with and without the filter.
All 800 series B&W matrix speakers are an active design and are intended to be used with an equalizer by the designer (John Bowers) to achieve the best frequency response.
This attached graph was sent to me by B&W Europe years ago
It is the frequency plot for the 801 matrix "without" using the supplied Bass Alignment Filter. (not sure if it is 801 s2 or s3)
B&W England are the ones that drew the two dotted lines on the graph.
The 801 matrix speakers were designed to be used with the BAF. The speakers with BAF devices were shipped to original owners. But these devices became lost as speakers changed hands. They pop up on their own on ebay.
The two interesting parts.
Part 1
Not only does adding the BAF filter as designed give you a smoother response and allow the speaker to hit 20 hz. The BAF makes the 801 matrix speaker much more efficient. The ohm ratings can be seen on the right 8 - 6 - 4 - 2 ohms. The 801 matrix s2 and s3 are a very easy 6 ohm steady load with the active equalization provided by the BAF. This opens up amp choices.
Part 2
Audiophile opinions on the BAF device are kind of split. Not sure if its an even 50% like it, 50% don't like it, but you have the two camps. Why the difference? The room; its acoustic properties, and how the 801 (aka relationship destroyer) deals with it. There is a reason B&W no longer make the 801. You need a dedicated room. Its makes no business sense.
801 matrix owners today (there are many out there and some reading here), that could NOT make the BAF work with the speaker; or who never used it, or even heard of the BAF before; are taxing their amps way more to make bass with the 801.
************ SECOND ROOM ***********************
A backwards seven with the main section 20 -23. This room is the "top of the Seven". It is separated from the bottom portion of the Number 7 shape (12 x 24) by a heavy curtain. It is also adjacent to my other room of which the door is left open. The back of the room has the stairs that go upstairs. One of the pictures has me standing on the stairs. All this makes for a much bigger room as far as sound volume and space is concerned. An in progress dedicated listening space that accommodates different speaker types.
03/31/2011 Dynamic, ESL, Planar IMO - We listen to our rooms. The speakers in the rooms are like boats. They both represent freedom to me. A 12 foot aluminum boat is perfect for a small lake and your favourite person. But out on the ocean or a big body of water The water/boat analogy in this case is like your room and speakers. Water waves versus sound waves. There is no perfect boat and no perfect speaker. This is because all our rooms are different and the room is the big rock in this audiophile game. Speakers represent the last piece in the audio chain. Their sound represents everything in your audio chain especially the room, before it reaches your ears. Every piece will have an effect on what is heard. This IMO is why it is so important to have a good source. The last few years my speakers have remained intact and I have concentrated on improving the source components. Each time I improved the source my main speakers improved as well. This tells me they are not a bottleneck and I have not yet reached their limits.
Dynaudio Acoustics BM12s - Two of these in my Quad Room B .
Two of these in Room B - 18hz - 60 hz.
4th order Linkwitz- Riley crossovers have a really steep slope past 60 hz.
On paper this made them look like a really good match for the Quad 57's; but how does such a small box make 18 hz. They have class a/b amps are 4 ohms.
I brought them home and demoed them. Very Punchy, Clean and they go really low. A great match with the raised Wayne Picquet Quad 57's. They are placed under the speakers - see pic in my virtual system.
Quad 57 Wayne Picquet rebuild with Music Reference RM10 AMP
Quad ESL-57 - Wayne Picquet Panels Partnered with the amp that was designed for them - Music Reference RM10 by Roger Modjeski.
With certain music magic for me.
8/20/2012 These Quad 57 speakers were designed and put out before I was born. The parts inside which I have replaced like the EHT modules were stamped 1971. Fourteen years after they originally came out. The panels themselves are only a few years old. They were rebuilt by Wayne Piquet in Florida. The normal music presentation for stock Quad 57s is as if listening to music from the first row of a balcony. If using stock feet a 2 or 4 x 4 piece of wood or brick under the rear leg angling the speaker downwards toward you actually raises this image. This may be a more realistic presentation in your room.
Check out my review. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1309018315&&&/Quad-57-
801 Active Monitors - Currently Stored
Currently Stored - "Winnie the Pooh" of speakers. Relationship Destroyer. Owned since 1994. Serious Sound Pressure Speaker can re-create an event in your room when positioned and driven properly. Mothers milk bass. During my time with them have used Solid State and Tube amps (Push Pull and OTL's). In comparison to the DM70 Electrostatic, If the 801 and DM70 were cowboys. The 801s are wearing black hats and the DM70 white ones.
801 Matrix S2 and S3 - Designed by John Bowers to be Active Monitors with use of the BAF and become a sixth-order Butterworth alignment. Without the high pass filter they are a vented fourth-order design, specifically in a Bessel alignment. "Fourth-order" is an engineering term that refers to all vented and passive-radiator speakers; sealed boxes are "second order."
From Stereophile (re: S2) "Higher in frequency, the response trend (averaged across a 30 degrees lateral window on the tweeter axis) is basically flat, but with a slight excess of energy in the presence region and a corresponding lack of energy in the top octave. All things being equal, this will make the speaker both a little too revealing of recorded detail and somewhat fussy when it comes to the quality of source and amplification components, just as LL noted in his auditioning comments."
Some of the changes. S3 used a different crossover than s2 - less component count. Better isolated mid and hf boards. Bass inductors with an iron dust core . Rotating midrange tweeter head assembly was permanently connected. (from 3 to 4 pin delivering separate ground signals to midrange and tweeter) Magnetic fluid cooling of the tweeter (like the 800 matrix) - the reason the apoc protection eliminated (circuits needed for this were also removed)
In nearfield very revealing of room setup, system components - SS and Tube, cabling, TT drive systems, poorly recorded music. They reveal all the flaws of the recording.
Depending on your audio hobby objectives this can be a good thing or a bad thing...
See picture of the Bass Alignment Filter.
B&W Electrostatic DM70 John Bowers / JansZen Hybrid
B&W DM70 Electrostatic Continental Hybrid Speaker Clockwork Orange Movie The late John Bowers (RIP) favorite speakers. JansZen ESL - 500hz and up. B&W Woofer - 500hz and down. Require a large room - elevated to ear level and a good distance from the front wall. Very refined midrange - muscular bass. Non-directional with a large sweetspot.
n]Designed in 1970. No cost or time constraints during the development. From what I can make out they were discontinued due to costs involved. Version One - Power handling 25 watts at all frequencies. Version Two - The later DM70 Improved, which looked identical, is suitable for amplifiers of 25-100w, but seems otherwise identical.
500hz crossover - ESL panel can not be overdriven and is nondirectional.
ESL Panel was provided by JansZen. Sensitivity is 17 watts into nominal impedance required to produce a sound level of 95 dB. at one metre at 400 Hz Double fuse protection C and CA versions.
Modded Acoustat Model 3 - Used In Shared Space Upstairs
Finally hooked up the Model 3's to the OTL's in a temporary fashion.
These are in our living area shared space Custom modded Model 3;s. They have rebuilt interfaces. Unique granite bases with integrated spikes that weigh 80 lbs. Burl Oak Veneer facing and the inside is filled with small sand bags.
Technics SP10 MKII with 2nd ET2 High Pressure Manifold
March 11, 2013 Update
Next version ? will replace the current black base plinth with a more aesthetic one.
Pet Project - Has taught me a lot about resonances and vibrations. SP10MKII Version Five Solid Stainless Steel Legs have threads at both ends and are bolted into the sp10 top plate as well as the solid plinth/platform. The armpod is bolted into the plinth. The plinth is then isolated by the AT-616 Pneumatic footers. 19 lb Solid Brass Pod 1 inch Diameter Solid Stainless Steel.
Previously I had the SP10 MKII in a heavy 7 layer plinth. Birch ply + one mdf layer. This SP10MKII came from a private studio.
This is the second ET2 I own and it is a high pressure manifold
Jean Nantais Custom turntable. Includes: 100 Pounds - Veneered - Two Tonearm Plinth Lenco L75 motor and top plate rebuilt to his standards. Reference model spindle, bearing thrust plate. Bonded Metacrylate mat Bearpaw footers. IEC outlet.
************ SOME NOTABLE MEMORIES **************************
For me some notable equipment. Currently stored or sold-indicated as such.
McAlister OTL 195
OTL195 There is a review contained in my system thread. In comparisons to good Solid State Class A and Push Pull amps they were like driving a 911 but you are limited to 1st gear when pushed. Very fast and punchy. But lack the bass that push pull deliver on. Get the bass right and everything else comes into place. These amps are designed around the needs of Acoustats. My Acoustats are in the shared room upstairs. I no longer own the OTL's.
Fidelity Research FR64s
Gimbal Pivot Arm. I found excellent build quality and a nicely implemented antiskate system. I also found a low frequency resonance that accentuated the bass. A warmer sounding tonearm. It was in my second room with the second ET2 not the ET 2.5. Whenever I started a session with the FR64s it was always nice. But curiosity would always prevail and I would switch over to the ET2. It would always remain there. This happened more times than I can remember. I am not a tonearm collector so it was sold to raise funds for another project. I am in agreement with what Cartridge designer Johnathan Carr had to say about it. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1243274438&openusid&zzJcarr&4&5#Jcarr
Modded VPI's
Thread driven TNT and a JMW 12 using rollerblock jrs. SOLD
Acoustat Spectra 33
Acoustat Spectra 33
Eminent Technology LFT 8a
Set up in midfield - soundstage at both sides of the room. So the speaker shown is the left or the right one depending on side of room you are on. Excellent Magnetic Planar Hybrid Woofer Speaker. Very natural sounding but difficult to drive.
****************AUDIOPHILE FUN + ET 2 TONEARM MODS ************** ****
From here down are some inserts from past audiophile fun.
Also contained here is important information on the ET2, 2.5 tonearms as well as some of the mods I have done to them. If any questions on any of them let me know. No Holds Barred tonearm. User needs to be mechanically inclined and be willing to read ET2 manual instructions for proper setup of this tonearm. If bought on the used market a friend that is familiar with the tonearm for proper inspection of condition is important.
Goldilocks and the Three Turntables . See Sept 20, 2019 post comment below on my virtual system for findings / details.
Belt Drive (converted to thread) VPI TNT Idler - Jean Nantais Custom 100 Lb Direct Drive - SP10MKII When compared in the same room(nearfield), with same gear, tonearm and cartridge, same time, differences are revealed. Out into rooms on their own, this is not as noticeable as our ears deal with different room acoustics. ymmv
OTL VERSUS PUSH PULL Tube Amps
In room comparison.
Thread Drive Comparisons
2010 testing out different threads. Fabricland became a favorite place of mine.
ET 2 Tonearm Proper Bass Management - ATB
According to Bruce
My ears agree
ET 2.0 Manifold Before and After Cleaning
Pictures courtesty of a friend.
ET2 VTA Block Destroyed
Thigpen Genius showing VTA Block rack of teeth and worm gear. This one was abused. If you are buying a used one ensure the rack of teeth seen in the pic are uniform with no wear and baldspots. This is an indicator that the VTA block was misused and rigidly tightened stripping the teeth. The bolt was tightened to a point that shattered the CF.
ET 2.0 2.5 Tonearm VTA Block Torquing Procedure
VTA Block - Ensure each of the four bolts is torqued equally or the patented VTA system will be off. This procedures takes just minutes and should be done off table or you will throw your alignment off. Once bolts are torqued the manifold housing can be mounted to the pillar post and the rest of the setup completed.
ET 2.0, 2.5 Tonearm Magnesium versus Aluminum Armtubes
Mag - MC Cartridges Aluminum - MM Catridges The middle ground is the Carbon Fibre arm tube. MM and MC.
ET 2.0, 2.5 Custom Aluminum Joint - aka GOOSENECK
Black one is the stock one. Sourced from Richard Krebs
ET Tonearm Counterweight Bolt Mod
Get a longer counterweight bolt especially if you like to use heavier cartridges. The stock ET2 bolt is on the right. The longer bolt weighs a bit more, holds more lead weights and allows you to use less lead further out on the I Beam. This provides for the highest vertical mass which is really important with the ET2 as it has medium to high horizontal mass. a 4 - 1 horizontal to vertical ratio. In my system higher vertical mass means cleaner, less resonant, overall better bass. The brass rings are meant for balancing only. I prefer to use Blue Tack for this purpose.
Et2 Leaf Spring Mods Single, Double, Triple
General Cartridge Guideline
Single Leaf Spring - High compliance
Double - Medium Compliance
Triple - Low compliance
ET2 Pedestal Custom 3
Solid Brass Arm Pod
Koaltar Tweak
my pal 6 months, 79 lbs.
Kitty Tweak Bengal
a real sweetheart
RCA Victor Dog
I introduce Lucky. He is a mixed breed Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix breed. He will be acting as the Victor RCA dog,
The original Victor RCA dog.
He was named Nipper and was born in 1884 in Bristol, England, and died in September 1895. He was a mixed-breed dog and probably part Jack Russell Terrier, although some sources suggest that he was a Smooth Fox Terrier, or "part Bull Terrier". He was named Nipper because he would bite the backs of visitors' legs.
Hi Banquo - in regards to cable risers. I have some that I made. I have also managed to trip myself up behind the amp /speakers with them. they can be dangerous. I use them to be more neat and tidy and avoid power cord /amp input and speaker wires/cables touching each other. if for some reason they need to cross I try to do it at 90 degress and I will use a cable riser to separate them.
With the tonearm looms, it is much more critical and I use unshielded wire. This is what I do with them.
Test for Radio Frequency (RF) interference first. Using my cell phone I bring it near the area where the tonearm wires are in behind the preamp and see what the strength indicator says on the device - how strong is the RF in the area ?
For example:
on our main floor the Bell cellular signal is a full four bars. But in my music room the signal strength varies considerably dropping to two bars in the area of the room near the preamp.
To test the actual tonearm wires its almost the same as testing for structure feedback that we have discussed here before. Put system on mute. With the turntable not turning - lower your cartridge onto a still record. unmute and with record still not turning turn the volume up. i start moving the tonearm wires around behind the preamp. With the unshielded wire I will hit RF and hear noise through speakers; then move the wire a touch even a quarter inch more and it disappears. I attach that wire with a small piece of Blue tack so there is no noise. I repeat for the other three wires.
Hi Slaw I really wasn't sure how to answer your question so I broke it into two parts.
"you have so many rooms/systems/ongoing threads"
Re: the rooms/systems - I guess I am like a bad virus. If I frequent a room enough a system usually ends up in there. my wife accepts it. She knows I could be outside the house somewhere getting into no good. I actually only have two active rooms now. They are adjacent to each other. Whats kind of neat is I can stand in the doorway between both; play the same music in both and hear the differences - left ear hears one room - right ear hears the other room. Lately though (last couple months) room 2 has been really quiet as I can't keep myself out of my main room. If this continues I will need to reassess things.
Do you have time for a job?
As far as work goes, right now - no - I have not gone back. I am having too much fun. I have multiple hobbies and dealing with two 19 years olds taking up all my time. I guess I am sort of retired for now at 52. I made decisions earlier on in life that allowed for this. Nothing fancy and we have had to cut back on lifestyle. This is easy to do when you realize family and time are most important. I just need to convince the others.
Luckily l have some gear inventory remaining to raise cash. So.....same as my former employer who for financial reasons culled the entire Canadian division I worked for, I started culling in 2013 and it continues in 2014. Everything listed under notables on my page plus a few other items have been sold or are a candidate to be sold.
Thanks for the heads up, Slaw. Rest assured I've now taken strong measures against such wall-cable miscegenation. It won't happen again on my watch :).
Is the wrongness of wall-cable mating akin to that of cable-floor mating? And hence the existence of cable risers? I jerry-rigged cable risers once to see if I could tell the difference. I couldn't, which is not to conclude that they lack efficacy.
Banquo363:, I just glanced through some of these posts. It seems to me that if the pic. you posted showing your wall mounting scheme, (there are cables directly mating the wall!) BAD! This could/can very well be a link to you're picking up vibs, thereby distorting the signal your tt sees.
Ct0517, All I can add is this, you have so many rooms/systems/ongoing threads.... Do you have time for a job?. My comment is, I agree that you should focus on MUSIC, that is what will in the end, bring you joy.
Krell's version of the 800 Bass Alignment Filter on its way to me from the US. Damn that Canadian dollar. What happened? It was worth more than the US dollar not so long ago. The Krell bass equalizer will be inserted into the chain and the Maughan Anodyne - Listen Up Box removed. I am expecting there to be synergy with the Krell amp. But the modded ARC preamp with its very unique variable gain output is the wildcard. Also updated the system description and some pics.
The piece of thread that is powering my turntable is at least one year old now. I find this incredible; but even more so the design of the Verdier which obviously puts very little strain on it. If held between your hands the thread is easily broken with some force. The silk thread was bought at Fabricland for $2.36. I have enough for many lifetimes at this rate. All the fun with the amp and speakers and listening to music has delayed me from the project to convert the Verdier to battery. Just not in the right frame of mind to attempt this. In the cold room I have 2 marine batteries being stored. they will be heading back in the boat - soon I hope.
Hi Dan - the power of music. just keeps on giving. Glad you liked that album. I'm in the mode of rediscovering my collection right now. So much music just not enough time. I am going to include Jesse Cook's Vertigo album in listening later today. Cheers Chris
The KRELL - 800 combo has made the other speakers really lonely. So much so that I turned off the Quads a couple weeks ago. There is at least 100 hours on the KRELL now. Feeling guilty l decided to spark the 57's up. The panels need some humidity to be able to charge. Its only 35 (very low) humidity in that room. When I went to listen to them after 8 hours, they sounded like transistor radios. hah ! I quick call to Ken at Electrostatic Solutions confirmed the dry air makes charging take much longer. So I left them plugged in - will try them again tomorrow - after a I watch Canada go for gold at Mens Hockey.
2-17-14: Islandmandan Chris, "Gravity" is on order from CD Universe. Getting ready for some finger-snapping and foot-stomping!
Look forward to your impressions of the album Dan. there was a system glitch, your posts and others from Feb 14 were on duplicate thread elsewhere. problem has been fixed....
as an update. Sold Classe CA300 amp to raise funds. The new owner bought the amp for 1 ohm Apogee Scintilla speakers. Received feedback yesterday that they sound great with the amp.
Dear Dan these public chat forums can be really funny places sometimes. what people post can be misunderstood. I don't want to be misunderstood here. a few of the words that stand out to me in your last post are.
**I've got no where to go** **boring**
In 35+ years at his hobby, "consciously" I have never ever came close to any of those words. This hobby for me is as much about learning as it is enjoying the music. Freedom.
Another word you used that I feel is very very important.
**tinkering**
Some music lovers/audiophiles like to tinker and get involved. Others just want to hit the play button. Remember a couple of years ago when we were emailing each other on how to build that alignment jig for your Dynavector tonearm? I am willing to bet that activity was very satisfying for you; not only because you got your tonearm up and running but you actually built the jig to make it work. A brilliant piece of engineering that jig is imo. This type of learning can't stop.
Sometimes we match two components up and magic happens for us. We can feel like there is no where else to go with it. My Quad 57/RM10 combination is one example of this for me. I have no intention of breaking them up. Can that gear in that room play all the music I like to my satisfaction? NO It can do maybe 20-25% of it well. But what it does well - it does really really well. I just brought a new speaker into a room after 19 years with the existing ones. Other speakers also saw that room. It will take some time to sort out. This is part of the audio journey. Always learning. I'm looking forward to it.
Now I am a huge Jesse Cook fan. Here is music that I find anything but boring .... guaranteed to perk you up ...and forget just plain toe tapping... you will be up and dancing ....
Jesse Cook - from the Gravity album. Listen to the drums at 1:58
Chris, as NASA might say to a shuttle crew,"all systems are nominal".
System-wise, I've got no where to go, except to switch on my amp and select a source, and sit down and enjoy.
I just went to all solid-core Tempo Electric 12 gauge silver speaker wire, for both amps, very happy with the results. A bit on the boring side, in that I'm used to tinkering, but it's good just to enjoy what you've got for a while.
Hey Dan - hows it going. The heat coming from this KRELL amp could "maybe" keep a pizza warm. thats about it and thats ok with me.
I did give thought to recycling the OTL heat. Each OTL monoblock had 16 Horizontal Sweep Output Tubes. Unfortunately -when I built out that room in '94 the priority was isolation Had to make sure the music would not reach the wife or wake the babies up. I eliminated all vents in the room for sound travel when I closed and packed up the ceiling. On the main floor I guess the amps could have been placed near the cold air return vents ? that way the heat and sound could travel down to the furnace where with its blower, it would help send the music to every room in the house... hah !
Glad to hear things are looking up, and system access has been regained. Now if you can vent the heat generated by the big Krells into your heating system, you'd have it made.
Access to the virtual system page has been off and on again since mid Dec '13. The consultant in me likes to change the look of the page around. I get bored with it. I had deleted most entries and was in the process of uploading when I lost access ....for a month. hah hah.... I'm used to the condensed version now. seems back and stable. uploaded a few new pics including a pic of the matrix 800 crossovers.
An update. The engine has been changed in room 1. The OTL 195 amps brought me some really nice music. Surreal at times. I can even say it was addictive. The ultimate test however is time. In the end they just did not fit in with my audio hobby lifestyle. Think.......HEAT.....and lots of it. If a longer session you start shedding clothes; ending up in your skivvies (or less) by the end. this can be ok when you are 25. Wifey comes in and it could lead to interesting things... but when you hit 50 ....sometimes there are different results. I think what put it over the top....... was when I had them set up with the Acoustat on the main floor.
Scenario This room is about about 12.5 feet by 30 feet. Do you see the white thermostat housing on the right wall ? Its an older pic as I have sold the ET speakers that can be seen. Do you see where this is heading? btw- Its a great room for setting up Planars and ESL's in midfield. You can see the ET speakers in midfield. The Acoustats would be moved up a few feet for listening. Anyway With me listening to music in a room that is (apparently getting warmer - like the music) - unknown to me - the rest of the house is dropping in temp.... in what is probably the worst winter, since I have cared to think about the weather. I think it got to about 65F when my wife suspecting something came in and said: "Why is the house so cold ?" ...immediately followed by... "Hey , why is it so warm in here !?" The heat from the OTLs disengaged the thermostat. :^( Oh well. Life moves on.... I can take a hint.
Another observation. I trialed my backup Classe amp with the 800's for a stretch. The 800 matrix are separated by only one number with the 801 matrix but are a totally different speaker in design, execution, presentation and power requirements. 800's are 93 db, a 4 ohm load and are recommended with an amp of 150-800 wpc. 801's are 87 db, rarely dip below 5 ohms and are recommended with 50 wpc - 600 wpc.
My Classe Amp - 300 wpc 8 ohms - 600 wpc at 4 ohms. Seriously in the sweetspot with the 801? Numbers say it should be fine with the 800 matrix too .... And it did work ok with them but not well enough. Easy to reach listening levels without working up a sweat and never getting more than luke warm. Probably stayed in Class A for most of the time. No issues there. But some aspects of the music was just unsatisfying with the 800's, or just not there. I found the lower bass presentation "light", requiring speaker placement changes closer to boundaries. Still it was light.... The extended highs although ok, were definitely for me - better in the past - with tube amps. The midrange was really nice with the Classe; when compared directly to my midrange reference Quad 57's with RM10 amp in the adjacent room. So the mids were good - but the low bass and extended highs left something to be desired. 1 out of 3. I went on the hunt for a replacement. (In all honesty I think the nature of this hobby is - that you need to be on the hunt for something all the time ? This is a guy thing ? I think the key is to hunt for low priced - good music)
I searched the internet for other owners of matrix 800's, managing to make contact with a couple. This allowed me to talk to them about their experiences and was invaluable to me. Googling virtual system setups around the world showed some interesting setups.
Some owned tube amps with the 800 - Large Monoblocks like ARC and VTL, other.... Krell was very popular, along with Jeff Rowland, Mark Levinson and McIntosh. Some were using SS on the woofers and tube on the mids and highs. Some were using a full active crossover system. Krell, Pass Labs and others sell active crossovers.
Each driver of the 800 speaker system including each of the woofers have their own crossover allowing for this. I am active on the four woofers right now as designed from the factory.
I almost went for some KRELL FPB350 monoblocks. I considered Classe M400 and M600 monoblocks. thought about adding a second Classe like my own and bridging it to try out ? One never became available at a good price. I ended up choosing a KRELL FPB600. I inserted it into the system beginning of last week.
From the moment I heard the first bit of music especially with any dynamics it was like being hit by something. Its one thing to again hear those missing "mothers milk" notes; they were there with the OTL's. Its another thing however to actually feel the physical weight of them. What I had been missing up to now with the 800's caught me by surprise. I was not expecting it. Never had I had, such air movement and deep tight bass (control) like this before on my limited time with the 800's.
The KRELL brought back that bottom octave with such an authority; I was able to (well had to) place the speakers back out from the boundaries. Tonal balance was restored. It was off with the Classe amp on some material. The highs (on all music now - not just some) more linear and extended, smooth and shimmering again - reminiscent of tube amps. Too early to tell if as satisfying to me. The all important midrange - very nice.
This is not about playing at ridiculous SPL levels. I regularly have long listening sessions at a 75-80 db average. It is about headroom and control. This FPB600 has it in spades. Some perspective. The FPB600 is more than twice the KRELL amp the reviewer in Stereophile demoed with his 800's. I thought about just going with a Krell 250-300 wpc amp or monoblocks. This is where actual owners experience with those smaller and larger amps convinced me otherwise. So things are really good right now again system wise in my main room. Back with Class A Solid State amplification.
Thanks for the reply Charles. thats too bad... would have liked to hear impressions. I could never afford them myself anyway. Maybe I can try them in 5 years time when they are available used on audiogon and kids out of school. Cheers Chris
Hi, This is one of the few rooms I missed this year at CES. I'll clarify my opinion, generally I was referring to single output tube SET amplifiers of usually lower power. The heftier transmission tubes (211, 845, GM70 etc) that are paired as PARALLEL SET are granted a different ball game. These amps when combined with heavy duty premium quality output transformers have very considerable capacity to drive a wider range of speakers, no doubt. This category of powerful PSET is different from the single tube versions I was thinking about. I could imagine that big Audio Note amp managing theB&W pretty well. Charles,
Hi Charles1dad - if you see this; my earlier post of pretending to be in Vegas and hearing the Holly Cole Trio; reminded me of some pictures I saw earlier in January of CES 2014 The SHOW.
11-16-13: Charles1dad
I don't believe that the B&W 801 with its low ohm lmpedance would be a good idea with a SET amplifier.
Did you manage to get to CES 2014 The SHOW and if you did, did you hear the AudioNote room. Powering 801's with their flagship SET Kagura Amp I believe - 50 watts - 4, 8, 16 ohm settings ?
Would appreciate your opinion on the sound in this room if you did. thanks.
Banquo - glad you found some of that music enjoyable. The Holly Cole Trio lp was still available when I linked it. :^( If I discovered one day that I owned a record that was worth $200-300-400 on the market. I would probably be too scared to play it in the fear of it being dropped or something like that. If I liked it a lot and it was the only copy I had. I would probably buy two fresh RTR blank tapes @ $50 bucks each. Play it once, record it at 15 IPS. Then store the record away !
That Natalie Merchant has an unforgettable voice--except that I forgot all about it. That is, until I heard the first few notes from your link. Then the memories...
Too bad that copy of Girl Talk sold; I would have bought that. I like it; I like it a lot. The other copy on the bay is priced for Bill Gates. As are some of the other stuff you linked to, which links, by the way, were fun and helpful to follow. I feel I've entered someone else's hallowed ground, complete with commensurate prices.
That Natalie Merchant has an unforgettable voice--except that I forgot all about it. That is, until I heard the first few notes from your link. Then the memories...
Of the artists you listed, please name your top 3 records.
Banquo - imo there is no such thing as a top three in this hobby whether discussing music or equipment. Providing u with a 1,2,3 selection, is also just a snapshot for one music session as it does change every day. this is because of the music we listen to. I believe Some we listen to ... to pump us up from being down. Some we listen to ... to calm us down. then there is the stuff in between. I believe our subconscious is very much at work here in choosing what we listen to every day. Since this is unique to each of us a bit of insight is always required into the individual's current situation before you hear their selections 1,2,3.
Since you asked for my 1,2,3 - here is some insight into it. Two 19 years olds, one male, one female, (separated 2 mins apart at birth) show up at front door 2 weeks before Christmas 2013. The house is turned upside down. Once the first week of January is complete. One returns to school away from home per plan. What a good girl she is. The other (the male); well his plans did not work out; so he remains and has currently no work or school plans. He also has an insatiable appetite for food, drink, my vehicle and no gas money. $1.25 a litre for regular gas here.
After a month of the above whenever frustrated, instead of getting upset or angry, I choose to adjourn to my room one when appropriate and listen to females crooning to me as they have this amazing effect of calming me down. Now I have been told by multiple parents with older children, that this is just a phase for him, and I just may have - 6 more years of this left ! So based on the above, hopefully it is understood now why I have been listening to all those females lately?
Now I apologize but I also can't keep this to just three like you asked .
So to start off and in keeping with the current cold weather theme in the north half of the US and here...
Kate Bush - 50 Words for Snow - Alternative Rock, Accoustic Made in EU - Abbey Road Studios. Excellent packaging and sonic. The two discs keep the stylus playing on the outer grooves.
way way too rich for me - so I listen to the CD for this one. it is very good. Now if I got a master tape dub copy for the above price ...that is different. as this album is an absolute masterpiece to me.
**** Holly Cole Trio - Girl Talk ***** Jazz recorded live at Stephen Leacock theatre (near me), in two track using a a single Calrec Ambisonic Microphone.
Again just one more time in keeping with the cold weather theme; and for smucks like me stuck in this nasty winter this music will make you feel like you are on a trip to Vegas in February; In a club all alone with your spouse, and the Holley Cole Trio is performing just for the both of you. And - If your spouse doesn't want to listen with you; you can maybe role play with her ? Ask here nicely to pretend she is a Vegas waitress and to bring you something on the rocks while you listen. Maybe by the end of the album she will give you her phone number...
Can u picture the Vegas Lounge Bar listening to it ?
***************************************************************** Now some heavier, weightier music from two women that both love their bass. Well Kate Bush does too. Fully fleshed out folk, softer rock type ballads.
Natalie Merchant Tigerlily, Bearsville Studios, NY
Sarah is my make believe GF, so I am really biased here. All LP's you can find of her's especially the older ones - go for it. The earlier albums if you can find any have skyrocketed in price so I am stuck with some CD's for those; which is not too bad since sound quality is good.
For me all of the above music calms me and is a snapshot for just one session. The next session will be different and there are many more women artists I like. So much music - so little time. Hope some of these selections bring some joy to you or others reading.
Cheers
..... I think this post takes the record for number of links.
You have contracted an especially virulent strain of audiophilia. I'm not nearly as affected, although it is true that should I buy a different house it will with certainty contain a dedicated listening room far far away from my wife's sensitive ears.
Of the artists you listed, please name your top 3 records. I'm looking to buy some new records--I find myself listening to Ry Cooder every day and that's got to stop!
